Freedom Wall Honors Veterans

GRAND TERRACE>> Many people gathered together to celebrate and honor the sacrifices that veterans have made, and to thank them for their service at the Veterans Wall of Freedom Dedication Ceremony Friday, Nov. 11 at Pico Park in Grand Terrace. The Veterans Wall of Freedom is a monument that spells out “FREEDOM” in large block letters that stand at six-feet tall and six to eight feet wide. On each of the letters, veterans or their families are able to reserve a space honoring the veteran’s service. During the ceremony, attendees could feel the gratitude all around for those who served our country. Bob Lavin, Veteran Wall of Freedom Committee Chair and Vietnam veteran, opened the ceremony by thanking the veterans for their dedication and service to the country. The Veteran Wall of Freedom Committee consists of Lavin, Don Larkin, Jim McNaboe, Jim Miller, Mikey Bubier, Dwane Lamb, Austin Conley, Dan Flores Sr., Nicole Littlefield, Julia Cook Firnkoess, Sue Taylor and Elissa Kirkland. As the ceremony began, the posting of the colors was given by the American Legion Post 650 of Redlands. After, the crowd joined together for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, sung by Alessandra Sorache. After the National Anthem was proudly sang, Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe introduced the elected officials who were present including Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia Robles, Council Member Bill Hussey, Council Member Jackie Mitchell, Council Member Doug Wilson, Council Member-Elect Brian Reinarz; Dan Flores Jr., County Rep for Supervisor Josie Gonzales , Assemblymember Cheryl Brown; Frank Reyes, San Bernardino Community College District, Area 1 Board of Trustees-Elect and Assemblymember-Elect Eloise Reyes. McNaboe introduced Brown and thanked her for all the support she has given throughout the years. Brown said it has been an honor to serve the veterans as a member of the committee on veteran’s affairs at the state capital. She said she was born on an army base and her grandfather served in WWI, her father in WWII and her brother in Vietnam. "This Freedom wall means so much to me. No matter what I do and no matter where I’ll be, it will be in my heart,” Brown said. “For my family and so many, our commitment to this country is clear. Serve your country, especially when your country needs it the most. Thank you for your commitment.” Brown also took time to give special acknowledgement for the veterans who fought in Vietnam, 50 years ago. “You have always deserved better and on behalf on this great nation, your commitment shall never be forgotten,” Brown said. “Thank you because when you came home, we didn’t treat you like you should be treated, you are heroes and we didn’t do right by you but we are going to do better from here on out because your commitment will never be forgotten. Brown gave Lavin a certificate of recognition and said the Wall of Freedom has been a wonderful experience for her as she recognizes the special commitment and continued support given by the Veterans Wall Committee. Joseph Garcia, California Department Commander for the American Legion, spoke about the impact the veterans have made on the country including bringing freedom to millions of people and making the nation a safer and secure place. “Our country is safer through the sacrifices made by each and every veteran. All veterans have made many sacrifices throughout the years. Veterans have protected the USA and have seen both victory and tragedy,” Garcia said. Col. Douglas Weskamp, Commander of the 163rd Operation of March Reserve Air Base, spoke at the event and told his story about his experience of 9/11, as well as his father and uncles commitment and dedication of service. Weskamp said he was a United Airlines pilot and if it was not for a surgery he needed, he would have been on Flight 175, the plane that crashed into the South tower on 9/11. The ceremony concluded with a presentation from the City of Grand Terrace, a POW/MIA ceremony, the Presentation of the Wreath, Benediction, Rifle Volley and TAPS. Mayor MacNaboe informed those in attendance that the Park will be renamed the Veterans Freedom Park, and Councilmember Hussey thanked wall committee member Jim Miller for suggesting the name at a past council meeting that was approved unanimously by the city council with new signs to be installed in the near future. David Dale Sillasen, a U.S Army veteran, served as a medical field specialist from 1961 to 1967 during the Vietnam War. Sillasen received a certificate of recognition and attended the ceremony with his family. “It means a lot. When we came back, nobody liked us,” Sillasen said. “We were scum and now were getting recognition.” Dan Flores Sr., a Veterans Wall of Freedom committee member, said he wanted to help with the wall because the veterans deserve it. “Some died protecting our country, some came back from battle injured and a lot came home safe. So we need to honor them, especially on Veterans Day. (The wall) is here for the veterans and I will always do anything when it comes to the veterans.” Flores said some the names of members of his family are also on the wall for their dedication. Bill Cortus, financial consultant, attended the ceremony on behalf of Thrivent Financial, a membership organization of Christians who support events like the dedication ceremony. Cortus said he has a son in the army and father-in-law who passed away but served and received a purple heart. He along with Terry Hillock, financial associate at Thrivent, attended the event to help celebrate and honor veterans. Frank Guevera, director of the San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs, was also in attendance of the ceremony and provided information about the benefits veterans can receive through the county. Guevara said San Bernardino Country receives 400 million a year in benefits, and wants veterans to know of the cash compensation they can receive. “It’s an important thing we do to help our veterans,” Guevara said. “One of the things that I like to do is inform the veterans about the benefits they have earned. It’s not a handout, it’s something they earned.”